The One Thing

Healthy small groups don’t happen by accident. Your small groups are only as strong as the leaders you’re raising.

So how do you find the right people, prepare them well, and keep helping them grow once they’re leading?

In part two of this three-part series, Scott Sanders talks with Richard Sweatman, author and assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle, about how churches can identify, develop and support small-group leaders well.

They explore:

• what to look for in a future leader
• how to develop people before they lead
• what good support actually looks like
• how leaders shape the health of a group
• the signs your small-group ministry is growing stronger

Toolbox: 

Last weeks ep 

Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman

Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman

DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books

Small Group Toolbox Podcast

Credits: 

This episode was brought to you by MTS

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Scott Sanders chats with Richard Sweatman, assistant pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle:

They discuss these questions, and more:

• Are small groups primarily about Christian growth, relationships, fellowship, mission or serving? Can they realistically do everything?
• Should groups be organised by congregation, geography or demographics? Should they continue indefinitely or relaunch periodically?
• How does calling something a growth group, connect group or community group communicate its purpose?

Toolbox: 

Being a Small Group Leader by Richard Sweatman

Writing a Small Group Study by Richard Sweatman

DISCOUNT CODE: THE1THING for 30% off at Matthias Media when you purchase 10 or more of either of Richard’s books

The One Thing Ep 418: Measuring small group health with Richard Sweatman

Growth Groups by Colin Marshall

Leading Small Groups That Thrive by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis & Jason A. Sniff

Iron Sharpens Iron by Orlando Saer

Credits: 

This episode was brought to you by MTS

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

If the preaching is faithful, why doesn't the conversation continue after the service?

Tony Payne joins Scott Sanders to explore why every Christian is called to speak God's Word to one another. Discover how simple, everyday conversations can become one of God's primary ways of growing disciples and building a healthy church.

Tony is an author, and the Director of the Centre for Christian Living and lectures in theology, philosophy and ethics at Moore College in Sydney.

Toolbox: 

Let the Word Dwell Richly by Tony Payne 

DISCOUNT CODE: tpra20

Six Steps to Loving Your Church by Tony Payne

Centre for Christian Living website

Credits: 

This episode was brought to you by MTS

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

If your church is expecting 18-year-olds to connect the same way 32-year-olds do, you’ll lose them before they ever put down roots.

In this episode, Scott Sanders is joined by Ray Copland and Holly Stewart from EV Church to unpack why young adults need a different approach to church life. Along with practical ideas to keep these young adults connected. 

• The importance of community for this age group
• Why belonging often comes before commitment
• How relational pathways can be more effective than formal programs
• Practical ideas to help bridge the gap from youth group to adult church

Ray Copland is the Membership Pastor at EV Church, and Holly Stewart is a third year MTS apprentice at EV Night Church.  

Toolbox: 

Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 1 by Tim Clemens

Community and Integration Learning Lab Part 2 by Madeleine Galea

The One Thing Ep 177: Better Welcoming Part 1

The One Thing Ep 178: Better Welcoming Part 2

The One Thing Ep 47: Effective Integration 

Credits: 

This episode was brought to you by MTS

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

If your church is waiting until every seat is full before adding another service, are you waiting too long?

In this episode, Derek Hanna talks with Ben Mansfield and Petrina Enchelmaier from Southside Presbyterian, Brisbane about why they started planning a second Sunday service four years before they needed one.

They share:

• The convictions behind the decision
• How they led their church through change
• The mistakes they avoided
• Opportunities created for mission and discipleship

Toolbox: 

Southside Presbyterian’s Service Multiplication Planning Booklet

Southside Presbyterian’s Role Description Templates

Working Genius

Credits: 

This episode was brought to you by MTS

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Someone becomes a Christian. What happens next?

Every church wants to help new Christians get established in the faith, but that's often easier said than done.

One person might be a 21-year-old university student. Another might be a 50-year-old dad. They won't have the same questions, they'll need different people around them, and they won't all fit into the same follow-up course or pathway.

In this episode, Scott Sanders talks with Adrian Haynes, Mission Pastor at EV Church, about what he's learned from following up new Christians.

Toolbox: 

Ep 284 Reignite Your Conversion Engine - The One Thing 

Conversion Engine - Reach Australia Podcast

Follow Up to the Conversion Engine - Reach Australia Podcast

Credits: 

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Why do some Christians give joyfully while others give reluctantly?

Most of us know generosity is good. Yet many Christians still approach giving reluctantly, defensively, or simply as another bill to pay.

Tish Maier talks with Des Smith about why that gap exists and how churches can help people move towards joyful, gospel-shaped generosity. They discuss gratitude, sacrifice, stewardship, and practical ways to cultivate hearts that delight in giving rather than merely feeling obligated to do it.

Des is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Church Lockleys Adelaide and Tish is the Support Raising Manager at Reach Australia. 

Toolbox:

Part 1: Ep 455 When giving is uncomfortable instead of cheerful in your church (Des Smith)

Generosity Path

Credits: 

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Your church may find it easier to avoid talking about money altogether. But Jesus didn’t.

In this episode, Tish sits down with Des Smith, Senior Pastor of Trinity Church Lockleys Adelaide and author of The Cheerful Giver, to explore how churches can move beyond awkward fundraising conversations and cultivate a genuine culture of generosity.

Des shares why generosity is far more than a budget issue, it’s a discipleship issue. Together they unpack why Christians should talk about giving, how to avoid guilt-driven appeals, practical ways to encourage generosity from the front, and how churches can model generosity with their time, talents and resources.

Toolbox:

• Des Smith’s article on generosity: https://reachaustralia.com.au/cultivating-a-culture-of-generosity-in-churches-a-conversation-with-des-smith/
• The Cheerful Giver by Des Smith
• Journey of Generosity by Des Smith
• The Generosity Project by Tony Payne and Geoff Robson
• ⁠Generosity Path⁠

Credits: 

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

At Kellyville Anglican in Sydney, newcomers sit down with Dave Keun, the senior pastor.

Pete Hughes talks with Dave about “Newish”, a conversation designed to help newcomers understand church, ask questions and join.

Dave explains how it fits into Kellyville’s wider welcoming pathway, the importance of newcomer triage, and why he believes this is something worth personally owning as the senior pastor.

Toolbox:

Pathway Audit

Welcoming In Action: Live Video from Kellyville Anglican Church | Ep 389

Sample Newish Course Content 

Credits: 

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library

Is your church doing annual reviews right, or at all? 

In this episode, Scott Sanders and Jo Gibbs explore how annual reviews can move beyond corporate box-ticking to become a vital tool for encouraging, developing, and stewarding gospel workers well.

We unpack how simple, structured conversations help teams pause, give thanks, reflect honestly, and plan intentionally for the year ahead.

• Why ongoing feedback alone isn’t enough
• The biblical foundation for caring for people in ministry
• Simple frameworks to run effective annual reviews
• How to handle hard conversations well and avoid surprises
• Why investing in people builds long-term ministry health

Toolbox:

• Simple Framework of 3 questions to ask others and yourself: 
1. What’s a highlight
2. What are you doing well
3. What could you do better
• Why Annual Reviews Matter - Substack Article by Jo Gibbs
• Making Ministry Leader Annual Reviews Sing - Gospel Coalition Article by Mikey Lynch
• Episode 336: How to Give Effective Feedback 
• Episode 337: How to Receive Feedback as a Gospel Worker
• Episode 338: Enhancing Your Team’s Success With Rhythms of Feedback 
• Episode 339: Personalising Feedback 
• Annual Review Template by Reach Australia

Credits: 

This episode was brought to you by Lending Hands Mortgage Brokers

The One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠

To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠

For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Support Reach Australia's online library